Navigating and adjusting to a new community and health care system can be challenging for anyone, but especially for students with disabilities or chronic health conditions that limit one or more areas of their lives.
Our staff members are experienced serving students with diverse backgrounds, identities, and abilities, and take a “whole person” approach to providing medical and mental health care. We want you to feel comfortable contacting us for any reason, and hope you will speak openly with your provider(s) about how we can best support you – regarding your disability, condition, or any other aspect of your health or well-being.
Student Disability Services
Our Student Disability Services (SDS) office can help you register for Cornell services and accommodations, and navigate available resources on campus. You can contact the SDS staff, or visit the SDS office on Level 5 of Cornell Health.
Your Cornell Health primary care provider
Each Cornell student is assigned a Primary Care Provider (PCP) at Cornell Health who will oversee your medical care and help support your health throughout your time at Cornell.
Your PCP can communicate with your disability management medical provider (either at home or locally) to facilitate the delivery of appropriate services, support, and treatment while you’re on campus. PCPs also regularly collaborate with other Cornell Health providers – including care managers, counselors, physical therapists, nutritionists, and pharmacists – to support students’ health and well-being.
PCPs also help students with temporary disabilities, particularly those related to mobility, by providing temporary bus passes and helping to connect students with campus resources.
Other resources
- Learn about our building and parking accessibility. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions related to the accessibility of our facilities or services, please contact one of our Patient Advocates.
- Our website is designed to be accessible for those using screen readers and text readers. If you need help accessing our website, please contact web-accessibilitiy@cornell.edu.
- Cornell’s accessibility website provides resources for how to access information in alternative formats (i.e. Braille, accessible electronic materials, captioning, ASL interpreting).
- Research shows that those with disabilities are at higher risk of experiencing sexual assault and other forms of violence. Cornell’s Victim Advocacy Program – consisting of Cornell Health and other university staff members – provides assistance to members of the Cornell community who are victims of harmful, threatening, or violent incidents.